In part two, we look at how the Liverpool players fared in their 6th away defeat in the season.
Here are the player ratings for Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL
Pepe Reina: 6.0
The Spaniard failed to make it 101 clean sheets but he can’t be faulted for the goals. He could have reacted quicker for the second goal but his team-mates in defence had a torrid time.
Glen Johnson: 6.5
One of the few players to return to Melwood with some credibility- Johnson put in another assured display at the back and did not give Gutierrez any time and space on the ball. He romped forward at almost every given opportunity and was Liverpool’s most
threatening option out wide.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos: 5.5
The big Greek was simply owned by Andy Carroll. He committed far too many fouls, one of which resulted in a goal for Newcastle. Although he did have his bright moments but they were far too few.
Martin Skrtel: 4.0
He simply had a shocker of a game. The Liverpool defender could not cope up with any of the Newcastle forwards. His distribution was poor and failed to clear his lines on more than one occasion. He was again at fault when he failed to clear the loose ball
which led to Newcastle’s second goal.
Paul Konchesky: 5.0
Another ordinary display by the former Fulham man and it remains to be seen for how long he will be preferred to Fabio Aurelio. He should have read the game better for Newcastle’s first goal when Nolan crept in front of him far too easily to slot the ball
home.
Dirk Kuyt: 5.5
The Liverpool goal scorer was full of running but clueless in possession. He along with Maxi drifted far too much in to the central areas and lacked the imagination to unlock the Newcastle defence. At times he was found wanting and his movement was poor
as well.
Lucas Leiva: 6.0
The Brazilian had moments in the game. Although he did not let Nolan get the better of him for most of the game, he could have done better with the possession he had. However, Lucas is forming a decent partnership with Raul Meireles in the middle of the
park and it was yet another assured display by the pair.
Raul Meireles: 7.0
Along with Johnson, he looked the liveliest of Liverpool players. Unfortunately for him, most of his team-mates didn’t really seem up for it. He tried to drag his team forward and defended brilliantly as well. His passing and energy levels were terrific
throughout 90 minutes.
Maxi Rodriguez: 5.5
His performances had improved considerably over the past few weeks but on Saturday, he returned to his old self. He was anonymous for large parts of the game and failed to make any noticeable contribution. He too like Kuyt drifted far too much in to central
areas depriving Liverpool of any width at all.
David Ngog: 6.0
The Frenchman tried his best as usual, but to no avail – as usual again. He ran and worked his socks off and was livelier of the four attacking Liverpool players. However, strikers are judged on how many scoring opportunities they created; in his case, it
was none.
Fernando Torres: 5.0
Things cannot get any worse for the Spaniard; he was out of sorts yet again. Torres looked tired and lethargic. He cut a frustrated figure throughout the match and even when he was given the ball in decent areas, he was embarrassingly wasteful. He wasted
one great goal scoring opportunity, which an in-form Torres would have taken with his eyes closed.
SUBSTITUTES:
Ryan Babel: 6.0
Came on for the injured Ngog and gave Liverpool a speedy outlet. Failed to make any serious impression but Newcastle were on top when he was introduced.
Milan Jovanovic: N/A
Came on very late to make any significant contribution.
Tags: